Wind Farm Layout Optimization using a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes Model and a Genetic Algorithm

The placement of wind turbines in a wind farm can considerably affect the total output power. Using computational fluid dynamics and genetic algorithm, the optimal arrangement of turbines in a given wind farm was determined. A three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulation was conducted on a 660 kW three-bladed horizontal axis turbine. The airflow was assumed to be steady state and a pressure-based approach was adopted to solve the governing equations. By employing the characteristics of the wake propagation, the appropriate distances between the adjacent turbines were calculated. To find the optimal placement of the turbines, a purpose-built genetic algorithm was employed. The results show that the final configuration is in line with the outcomes of the previous study. The sensitivity analysis of the genetic algorithm with respect to its parameters was also performed to guarantee that the final layout is an optimal one.